Far better than Fantasy Springs Hotel or Epic's helio design(I saw indoor pictures too and it's breathtaking). Wish Universal didn't made a budget cut on the hotel facade. It's the main face of Epic Universe and the first thing you see once you enter Chronos. If I'm bring truly honest, it looks rather worse than the Vegas hotel and very generic modern style. Which is not suitable for a theme park building design. The park and hotel don't feel like complementing each other, rather breaks immersion(look at Dark Universe, Isle of Buck sightline situation).
Infinity pool on the rooftop instead of pool right next to giant black show building, revolving restaurant like one in Space Needle, Original(concept art) facade design...etc. There is too much missed opportunity.
Also, it would be far better if they went with Art Nouveau architecture style so it would blend with the celestial theme and other lands smoothly.
The hotel is truly gorgeous in person IMO. A lot of these design options are all good too (like image a page before) but Helios is still a great backdrop & beautiful little hotel.
The MAJOR issue with the hotel is the restaurant on the main floor / lobby area is far too large & takes up space where other hotel
amenities could be offered. That entire Taverna restaurant could and should 40-50% less space than it is taking up. I overheard that it is not filling to expectations and many are not getting as many shifts . And again IMO, It's just too big of a space.
Not sure if another restaurant with differing cuisine would be a good move here (shared kitchen?), or an added teen club / some sort of hangout spot. Maybe a lounge of sorts that matches the vibe of what they wanted the Garden's portal too be.?
Or an expanded lobby area if they cut the restaurant size down from the main lobby side. The "hotel" aspect of the resort is missing extra amenities that would help give people reason for longer stay's. Tons of opportunity and here (obviously won't happen anytime soon if at all).
**The rooftop bar is wonderful.
****The Taverna, Pool area food, and Rooftop Bar are all way too expensive though; a few dollars should really be reduced on virtually all items.
Regarding the pool area itself -- trees are going to grow in, and this time next year it will have an entirely different feel. I kind of loved walking outside the pool area on our 'pool day' (and towards the bus stop at other moments) seeing the world's in the distance. The idea that more trees will be growing and possibly blocking these views in the future makes me a little "sad."
The pool was a very nice area - I do think they could have went a little "bigger" though; but it has a high end vibe IMO.
Seeing the world's or back of show/house doesn't break magic for me: I also love the behind the scenes stuff & I think most people find this cool too and a conversation starter, "OOH LOOK IT'S DARK UNIVERSE! OOOH DK COASTER!" etc.
I don't think i'm alone when driving past Disney theme parks from the outside and saying --- WOOO STAR WARS LAND. When seeing rocks in the distance.
And yes - the park needs two attractions STAT: More Family based / child based, preferably indoor because the options are limited when rain (or threats of rain!) occur.
1) -If they add family dark ride for all attached to SNW ( I love the Luigi's Mansion idea),
2) -Could a small (covered) child like drop ride a las regional theme park attached to the Carousel work? I'm picturing Jumpin' Jellyfish from back in the day (IDK If it's still there) at Disney's Cali Adventure, or the Toy Story drop ride with the parachutes/army men. But with decent theming matching the Carousel
3)-Black Lagoon Dark ride -- no height requirement, but advisement that there would be some jump thrills like the Jaws'
All 3 serve immediate purposes: Continue gamifying Nintendo land with a shooter esque attraction, Child entry to thrill ride, and dark boat ride.
